Selectable and Recordable Laughing Doll

ABSTRACT

An electronic toy for users comprising a plurality of keys, each one of the keys corresponding to a prerecorded or downloadable audio signal such as a laugh which is played through a speaker within the toy when selected. The toy also comprises means for recording the audio input of a user to memory microchip or other electronic storage device housed within the toy. A subset of the plurality of keys corresponds to a like number of permanent non-erasable audio signals that are played through the speaker whenever one of that subset is selected. Another subset of the plurality of keys corresponds to a number of temporary re-recordable audio inputs that are provided by the user. The toy also comprises an effect dial which a user may use to alter the frequencies or other characteristic of the audio signal reproduced through the speaker.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/243,971, filed on Sep. 18, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 USC 119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of electronic dolls for children, specifically to electrically operated dolls capable of recording and emitting sound.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is always a tragic event when a young child is seriously injured or becomes seriously ill and requires an extended hospital stay. Adding to the trauma or physical pain they are afflicted with, there is also the stress and anxiety of facing a long and arduous treatment process. This coupled together with the possibility of being taken away from home for the first time and thrust into an unfamiliar setting with unfamiliar adult strangers can prove to be too much for many children and as a result they can start to feel depressed, scared, or angry and potentially impede the healing process.

What is needed therefore is a device or apparatus for helping maintain a happy and relaxed attitude or demeanor in a young child for the duration of their hospital stay. Not only would a happy and relaxed demeanor make the hospital visit more bearable for the child in need of treatment, but also make the treatment easier to administer as the child may have less fear and apprehension and therefore be more willing to cooperate for certain medical procedures.

Preferably the device should portable and small enough to be easily handled by a pair of small hands and intuitive enough to be manipulated by a child as young as a year old. The device should also have a pleasant tactile response and free of any sharp edges or small parts that may become choking hazards.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The illustrated embodiments of the invention include an audio toy including a housing, a programmable audio circuit disposed within the housing for storing and reproducing a plurality of audio signals, an effect dial disposed in or on the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit, a speaker disposed within or on the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit; and a plurality of keys disposed on or in the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit, each key for activating a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit, the effect dial for providing a control input to the programmable audio circuit for modification of the reproduction of the selected stored audio signal.

The plurality of keys coupled to the programmable audio circuit include a plurality laugh keys which when activated select and cause a stored audio signal in the programmable audio circuit to be reproduced and at least one custom key which when activated select and cause a audio signal which is created by a user and stored by the user in the programmable audio circuit to be reproduced.

The effect dial includes means for modifying the frequencies of the audio signal corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of laugh keys as it is being played through the speaker.

The toy further includes means for providing an audio signal audibly created by a user and storing the user created audio signal in the programmable audio circuit.

The means for providing an audio signal audibly created by a user and storing the user created audio signal in the programmable audio circuit comprises a record key and a play key coupled to the programmable audio circuit.

The plurality of custom keys include means for selecting a corresponding slot or pre-allocated space within the programmable audio circuit and where the record key comprises means for initiating the storage of the audio input of the user to that corresponding slot or pre-allocated space within the programmable audio circuit.

The play key comprises means for initiating reproduction of the recorded audio input of the user stored in the corresponding slot or pre-allocated space within the programmable audio circuit selected by activation of the corresponding one of the plurality of custom keys.

The record key further comprises means for storing a new audio input of the user over the previously stored audio input of the user in the same corresponding slot or pre-allocated space within the programmable audio circuit.

The toy further includes an audio headphone jack disposed within or one the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit.

The toy further includes a universal serial bus (USB) port disposed within or on the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit wherein selected externally stored audio signals may be stored into the programmable audio circuit or a selected data stream of audio signals may be reproduced by the toy

The effect dial includes means for initiating at least one kind of modification of the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit.

The effect dial includes means for initiating a selected one of a plurality of kinds of modification of the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit.

The effect dial includes means for modifying the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit to create an echo effect of the selected audio signal.

The effect dial includes means for modifying the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit to create modulation of a musical instrument or base sound by the selected audio signal.

In a more specifically illustrated embodiment the invention includes an electronic laughing toy which includes a housing having a torso portion, a pair of arms coupled to the torso portion, a record key disposed in one of the pair of arms, a play key disposed in the opposing one of the pair of arms, a head portion coupled to the torso portion, a speaker disposed within the torso portion, and a plurality of laugh keys disposed around the speaker on the outside of the torso portion. A programmable audio circuit is disposed within the housing for storing and reproducing a plurality of audio signals. The programmable audio circuit is coupled to the record key, the play key, the speaker and the plurality of laugh keys.

In the illustrated embodiment at least twenty of the plurality of laugh keys each correspond to a corresponding permanent non-erasable audio signal and at least four of the plurality of laugh keys correspond to a temporary re-recordable audio input provided by a user.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front of the doll presented by the illustrated embodiments of the invention with a plurality of laugh keys or buttons disposed thereon or therein.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the back of the doll seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the left side of the doll seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the right side of the doll seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is schematic representation of the electronic circuit board housed within the doll seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of the illustrated microprocessor, memory and DAC and ADC of the circuitry in the doll of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of the illustrated microphone amplifier and filter circuitry in the doll of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of the illustrated audio output filter and power amplifier circuitry in the doll of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of the power circuitry in the doll of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the illustrated matrix keypad and USB circuitry in the doll of FIG. 1.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the invention defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the invention as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, one of the illustrated embodiments of the device can be seen and is generally denoted by reference numeral 10. The device takes the form of a generalized doll 10 in FIG. 1. It is to be understood that the term “generalized doll” for the purposes of this specification is meant to comprise a doll or figure that is generally of human or human-like shape, namely it comprises a head 18, a torso-like portion 24, a pair of arms 20, and a pair of legs 22. It is to be expressly understood however that other shapes for the doll may be used such as geometric shapes or stuffed animal shapes such as a teddy bear. The doll 10 is preferably comprised of a molded plastic construction while the pair of arms 20 and pair of legs 22 are comprised of low durometer rubber or other suitable malleable material. It is to be expressly understood however that other materials such as cloth made of cotton, polyester, nylon and the like may cover the doll 10 so as to provide additional padding or aesthetic appeal.

As seen in FIG. 1, the doll 10 comprises an enlarged torso portion 24 allowing for a plurality of laugh keys 14 to be disposed thereon. The doll 10 preferably comprises twenty different laugh keys 14 as shown, however fewer or additional keys laugh 14 may be disposed on the torso 24 without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention. Each laugh key 14 is coupled to an internal circuit board 28 which comprises a memory microchip 26 for example, but not limited to a RAM/ROM chip as seen in FIG. 5 and to a speaker 12 disposed within the center of the torso portion 24. Each laugh key 14 corresponds to a different pre-recorded laughing sound or noise stored electronically. When a child pushes a laughing key 14, a signal is sent through the internal circuit to an electronic memory microchip 26, through an amplifier, and then the respective laughing sound or noise is then communicated through the speaker 12. For example, if a child pushes a laugh key 14 labeled “Giggle”, a laughing noise typically known as a giggle laughing noise is then emitted through the speaker 12 or other output device. The speaker 12 may be loud enough so that the laughing noise may be heard through the material comprising the doll 10, or alternatively the speaker may be disposed on the outside of the doll 10 or through a sound transmissive aperture(s) as seen in FIG. 1, Additionally, the speaker 12 may comprise a part of the doll 10 itself, namely the speaker 12 may be integrated with the torso portion 24. Each time the same laugh key 14 is selected, the same pre-recorded laugh is heard. The child may also push a succession of different keys 14 thus emitting a plurality of different types of laughs in the order that they were selected. Preferably, each laugh corresponding to each of the plurality of laugh keys 14 that is heard through the speaker 12 is six seconds in length, however other durations may be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention.

The circuit board 28 within the torso 24, including the memory microchip 26 and speaker 12, is powered by a standard removable battery or plurality of removable batteries 134 also housed within the torso 24 behind a rear panel 30 disposed in the back of the doll 10 as best seen in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the doll 10 may comprise means for self-sustaining power such photovoltaic cells disposed on the outside surface of the doll 10.

In FIG. 1, each of the different laugh keys 14 are labeled with the corresponding laugh that is emitted through the speaker 12 when that specific laugh key 14 is selected, for example the laughs of “Crowd”, “Jolly”, and “Giggle”. However these examples are for illustrative purposes only and it is to be understood that other types of laughing noises or sounds may also be included. In an alternative embodiment, the laugh keys 14 are not labeled at all and are instead left blank or provided with abstract symbols or graphics, leaving the user to experiment and discover which laugh key 14 emits what type of sound.

Disposed at the bottom of the torso 24 is at least one custom key 16 that allows the user to record his or her own laugh or statement. The user first selects to which one of the plurality of custom keys 16 he or she would like to associate with a recording of his or her laugh or message. Alternatively, the adult or gift giver will record his or her voice with a message and/or laugh of their own customized for the recipient or receiving child and occasion. When selected, an LED light 32 or other equivalent device disposed above the selected custom key 16 is illuminated indicating that the doll 10 is ready to record. Next, a record key 34 disposed in one of the arms 20 of the doll 10 is pushed and held down. The LED light 32 then begins to blink on and off indicating to the child that they may then speak or laugh into a microphone (not seen) housed within the doll 10. The voice or sound is then converted into an electronic signal and stored on the memory microchip 26 as a recorded audio input at a specific slot or pre-allocated space within the memory microchip 26 corresponding to that specific selected custom key 16 of a matrix keypad. When the record key 34 is released, the recording of the sound or voice message stops. Preferably, each custom key 16 comprises enough memory on the memory microchip 26 for recording up to fifteen seconds of audio, however other recording durations may also be used. In order to hear what was just recorded, the child may then push a play key 36 disposed in the opposing arm 20 of the doll 10. The recorded laugh or voice message corresponding to that selected custom key 16 is then played back through the speaker 12.

To record an additional laugh or message, the child then selects another one of the plurality of custom keys 16 which illuminates the LED light 32 or other equivalent device disposed above that corresponding custom key 16. The user then repeats the recording process discussed above for any or all of the plurality of custom keys 16. If the user does not like the previously recorded sound or message or wishes to record a different message, the record key 34 may be pressed again to record over or overwrite the previously recorded audio. The user may re-record their voice or laugh as many times as desired by repeatedly pressing and holding down the record key 34. Each time the record key 34 is held down, the audio being recorded overwrites the previously recorded audio, thus allowing the user to reuse the same memory microchip 26 over and over again indefinitely.

In one embodiment, the doll 10 comprises a volume control dial 40. The volume control dial 40 is disposed on the side of the head portion 18 of the doll 10 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. To activate the doll 10, the volume control dial 10 is rotated clockwise past a predetermined threshold position which allows current to flow from the batteries or other power source to the electronic circuit board 28. As the volume control dial 40 is continually rotated clockwise, the volume of the audio emitted from the speaker 12 increases by a proportional amount. Rotating the volume control dial 40 back in the counterclockwise direction decreases the volume of the audio emitted from the speaker 12 and if the volume control dial 40 returns to its initial starting position, current flow to the electronic circuit board 28 stops and the doll 10 is deactivated. Alternatively, the doll 10 may become deactivated if a predetermined amount of time of inactivity has elapsed as determined by a microcontroller 44 on the electronic circuit board 28.

In another embodiment, the doll 10 comprises an audio effect dial 38 disposed on the opposing side of the head portion 18 to that of the volume control dial 40 of the doll 10 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. The effect dial 38 is a rotary dial that changes or alters the frequency or audio characteristics of the audio being emitted from the speaker 12 when rotated. In one particular embodiment, the frequency of the emitted audio increases when the effect dial 38 is rotated counterclockwise and decreases when the effect dial 38 is rotated clockwise. For example, if a user selects “Giggle” from the plurality of laugh keys 14, an audio sample corresponding to that laugh key 14 is heard through the speaker 12. During the playback of that audio sample, the user may then rotate the effect dial 38 and thus change the frequency of the audio sample being heard giving it a “helium” effect or a baritone quality to the laugh or sound being emitted, depending on which direction the effect dial 38 is rotated. Rotation of the effect dial during playback will result in a frequency sliding to give an arbitrary Doppler effect on the voice according to how the effect dial is turned. The effect dial 38 may also be used to change or alter the frequency of the recorded audio input emitted from the speaker 12 after one of the plurality of custom keys 16 is selected as discussed above. Other audio characteristics or parameters of the reproduced sound may be altered according to the effect dial other than modification of the frequencies of the audio signal and as may be programmed into microchip 44. For example, an echo effect of variable length may be dialed in or modulation of an instrumental tone, like a singing electric guitar, any other musical instrument or base sound (train, boat or car horns etc.) can be dialed in. The number of audio effects which may be chosen is unlimited and nearly uncountable. The audio effect need not be continuously variable, but may be also discretely selected from among a plurality of choices with a rotary detent switch or selectively dialed in according to the angular orientation of the rotary switch.

Additionally, the doll 10 comprises an audio jack 42 disposed on the back side of the torso of the doll 10 itself, as seen in FIG. 2. The audio jack 42 is a standard 3.5 mm jack known in the art that allows standardized headphones to be plugged into the doll 10 and allowing only one user to hear any noises or sounds being emitted.

In an additional embodiment, the doll 10 comprises a universal serial bus (USB) port (not seen) that is disposed on the rear of the torso portion 24 of the doll 10. The USB port allows the doll 10 to be connected to a personal computer or laptop and have additional or different laughs or audio files downloaded into the memory microchip 26 via the hard drive of the computer or the internet. For example, users who live far away from the doll's location may pre-record their audio message into the doll 10 directly or send their audio message to the user over the internet in a standard email as is known in the art. The user may then connect their computer to the doll 10 via the USB port and select to download the incoming audio message from the computer to the memory microchip 26 at one of the slots dedicated to one of the plurality of custom keys 16. When the user selects one of the plurality of custom keys 16 as discussed above, the downloaded audio message is played back through the speaker 12 or other output means.

Still further messages, stories or music of any length may be data streamed into doll 10 through the USB port or WiFi connection included in doll 10 which is coupled to an internet connected computer, which provides selected ones of preprogrammed messages, stories or music and/or customized messages, stories or music from the sender according to either the child's or recipient's choice or according to the selection of the adult or gift giver, who may be either remote or present at the site of doll 10 during data streaming. Therefore, it is to be understood that the illustrated embodiments of the invention include a method for providing an preprogrammed and/or customized internet greeting or entertainment service to the child or recipient, who may be remotely located from the identified sender or who may be sick or incapacitated in some manner. Doll 10 thus becomes a computerized version of the old fashioned singing telegram.

FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic of one embodiment of the circuitry included within doll 10. The circuitry is built around microprocessor 44, which is shown illustratively as model LPC1343FBD48 and which includes memory 26. The pin assignments and functions of microprocessor 44 are conventional and will not be further detailed except to denote the data flow within the circuitry. An A-to-D converter 102, which is shown illustratively as model ADS8325, has its input line 100 coupled to a microphone 118 shown in FIG. 7, whereby sound is received by doll 10 and provided as digital audio output on line 104. The serial digital data is provided to and synchronized by data flash buffer 107, which is shown illustratively as model AT25-SO. A-to-D converter 102 and buffer 107 are controlled by nand gate logic circuitry 105 coupled to control pins on microprocessor 44. The buffered data is then clocked into microprocessor 44 from line 106 and assembled into parallel bit digital words on bus 108. Digital data output from microprocessor 44 is coupled on line 110 to digital-to-analog converter 114, which is shown illustratively as model DAC 8571, whose output on line 114 is then provided to speaker 12. The audio effect dial 38 is coupled via line 116 to microprocessor as a control input. FIG. 10 is a schematic of the matrix keypad 16 coupled to bus 108 of microprocessor 44 and USB port 136 also coupled to the USB input line 140 of microprocessor 44.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of the microphone circuit wherein microphone 118 in doll 10 is coupled to an amplifier 120, whose output in turn is filtered by low pass filter 122 to provide the line 100 input to the A-to-D converter 102 of FIG. 6.

Similarly, FIG. 8 is a schematic which illustrates the audio output circuitry where the DAC output line 114 from D-to-A converter 112 is provided to a 4^(th) order low pass filter 124 whose output is controlled by volume control dial 40 and provided as an input to audio power amplifier 128, which is shown illustratively as model MAX9705. The output line 126 is coupled to speaker 12.

FIG. 9 is shown for completeness as including the power circuitry comprising replaceable batteries 134, DC-DC boost regulator 130, which is shown illustratively as model MAX1797, and power resistance network 132.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following invention and its various embodiments.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the invention is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the invention.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conception ally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention. 

1. An audio toy comprising: a housing; a programmable audio circuit disposed within the housing for storing and reproducing a plurality of audio signals; an effect dial disposed in or on the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit; a speaker disposed within or on the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit; and a plurality of keys disposed on or in the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit, each key for activating a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit, the effect dial for providing a control input to the programmable audio circuit for modification of the reproduction of the selected stored audio signal.
 2. The toy of claim 1 where the plurality of keys coupled to the programmable audio circuit comprises a plurality laugh keys which when activated select and cause a stored audio signal in the programmable audio circuit to be reproduced and at least one custom key which when activated select and cause a audio signal which is created by a user and stored by the user in the programmable audio circuit to be reproduced.
 3. The toy of claim 1 where the effect dial comprises means for modifying the frequencies of the audio signal corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of laugh keys as it is being played through the speaker.
 4. The toy of claim 1 further comprising means for providing an audio signal audibly created by a user and storing the user created audio signal in the programmable audio circuit.
 5. The toy of claim 4 where the means for providing an audio signal audibly created by a user and storing the user created audio signal in the programmable audio circuit comprises a record key and a play key coupled to the programmable audio circuit.
 6. The toy of claim 5 where the plurality of custom keys comprise means for selecting a corresponding slot or pre-allocated space within the programmable audio circuit and where the record key comprises means for initiating the storage of the audio input of the user to that corresponding slot or pre-allocated space within the programmable audio circuit.
 7. The toy of claim 6 where the play key comprises means for initiating reproduction of the recorded audio input of the user stored in the corresponding slot or pre-allocated space within the programmable audio circuit selected by activation of the corresponding one of the plurality of custom keys.
 8. The toy of claim 6 where the record key further comprises means for storing a new audio input of the user over the previously stored audio input of the user in the same corresponding slot or pre-allocated space within the programmable audio circuit.
 9. The toy of claim 1 further comprising an audio headphone jack disposed within or on the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit.
 10. The toy of claim 1 further comprising a universal serial bus (USB) port disposed within or on the housing and coupled to the programmable audio circuit wherein selected externally stored audio signals may be stored into the programmable audio circuit or a selected data stream of audio signals may be reproduced by the toy.
 11. The toy of claim 1 where the effect dial comprises means for initiating at least one kind of modification of the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit.
 12. The toy of claim 1 where the effect dial comprises means for initiating a selected one of a plurality of kinds of modification of the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit.
 13. The toy of claim 1 where the effect dial comprises means for modifying the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit to create an echo effect of the selected audio signal.
 14. The toy of claim 1 where the effect dial comprises means for modifying the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit to create modulation of a musical instrument or base sound by the selected audio signal.
 15. An electronic laughing toy comprising: a housing comprising: a torso portion; a pair of arms coupled to the torso portion; a record key disposed in one of the pair of arms; a play key disposed in the opposing one of the pair of arms; a head portion coupled to the torso portion; a speaker disposed within the torso portion; and a plurality of laugh keys disposed around the speaker on the outside of the torso portion; and a programmable audio circuit disposed within the housing for storing and reproducing a plurality of audio signals, the programmable audio circuit being coupled to the record key, the play key, the speaker and the plurality of laugh keys.
 16. The toy of claim 15 further comprising an effect dial coupled to the programmable audio circuit, where the effect dial comprises means for initiating at least one kind of modification of the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit.
 17. The toy of claim 15 where the effect dial comprises means for initiating a selected one of a plurality of kinds of modification of the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit.
 18. The toy of claim 15 where the effect dial comprises means for modifying the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit to create an echo effect of the selected audio signal.
 19. The toy of claim 15 where the effect dial comprises means for modifying the reproduction of a selected audio signal stored in the programmable audio circuit to create modulation of a musical instrument or base sound by the selected audio signal.
 20. The toy of claim 15 where at least twenty of the plurality of laugh keys each correspond to a corresponding permanent non-erasable audio signal and where at least four of the plurality of laugh keys correspond to a temporary re-recordable audio input provided by a user. 